Automatic responding and recording device for telephones



Nov. 3, 1925:Y i,

' s. FISHER AUTOMATIC RESPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELPHONESFiled Sept. l, 1921 5 sheets-'shed 1 Ell Hlm l 1,560,226 s. FISHERAUTOMATIC RESPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES Nov. 3l 1925-Fled Sept. l, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 3, 1925. 1,560,226

s. FHSHER AUTOMATIC RESPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES Filedsept. 1, 1921 3 s11ets-sheet :s

Patented Nov. V3, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,s6o,zz6 `PATENT OFFICE.

SYDNEY FISHER, OF WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC BESFPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES.

Application led September 1, 1821. Serial No. 497,587. l

- phones, of which the following is a' speci- Cil lication.

My invention is an improved automatic device for use with telephones andphonographic recording instruments of Standard type to notify thecalling party of the-absence of the party called and to receive andrecord the message which the calling party may dictate.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the classspecified which is adapted for use particularly as an attachment to thetelephone instrument, being operated independently of the telephonecircuit and capable of being entirely disconnected from the-telephoneand the recording instrument to allow the use of either in the customaryway.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which whenconnected to the telephone will be automatically set in operation by anincoming call to signal to the calling party that the party called isabsent, while indicating that the apparatus is connected to receive andrecord a message.

y Another object of the invention is to adaptv the device to remain inactive connection with the telephone for a predetermmed period previousto or during interruptions 1n the dictation, and to remind thepartycalling that the connection will be broken unless dictation is commencedor resumed as the case may be.

Another object of the invention is to adapt the device to beautomatically reset to first position after vhaving received andrecorded aA message, or after a predetermined period of waiting for thedictation of the message, whereby it is left 'ready for the next call.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred embodiment of the apparatus asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

F ig. 1 is a general plan view of my im-- proved dev-ice, showing thedictaphone with which it cooperates and illustrating the method ofconnecting the apparatus with thc telephone instrument;

`dictaphone B, sec also Fig. 5.

Fig. 2, a longitudinalview taken in a vertical plane through themainhousing of the apparatus and illustrating the mechanical connectionbetween its electrical-control devices and the telephone instrument;

' Fig. 3, an enlar edsectional view of the absent-signalling evice orIbuzzelggshowing the manner in which thesame is attached to thetelephone transmitter; l

Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional view Showing the variable-contact deviceemployed. in connection with the dictaphone stylus to opcrate theabsent-signalling device;

' Fig. 5, a detail view` ofthe means for holding the telephone receiverin communi-` cation with the dictaphone 4transmitter or mouthpiecev l vFig. 6, a vdetail view showing the variablecontact device and dictaphonereproducer in contact with the record- Fig. V7', a more or lessdiagrammatic view o f the Vcomplete apparatus shown in connection withthe telephone instrument and the dictaphone, and illustrating thevarious electrical circuits for controlling the opera tion of thedevice;

Fig. 8, a detail View similar tov Fig. 4 illustrating a modified form ofthe variablecontact device;

Fig. 9, a detail view showing a modified form of the detent-means forthe solenoid which operates the receiver-hook of the telephone;l andReferring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, A designates a telephoneinstrument of usual type which, for cooperation with my im provedapparatus, is placed upon a bracket or shelf 30 secured to .the stand ortable 31 of any lapproved form of phonographic relcording instru-mentwhich, for conveniencer of descriptiomwill hereinafter be referred to'as a dictaphone B. The stand 3l is also provided with a bracket 32adapted to sup- 'port the telephone receiver A to connect the latterwith the mouthpiece B of the Attached to the recorder B2 of thedictaphone B, and movable therewith longitudinally of the recordcylinder B3, is an arm 33 shown in Fig. 1. The arm 33 extendstransversely of the record cylinder B3v and carries at its outer end avariable-contact device C constructed in the manner and for the purposeas later ex lained.

Iounted on the shelf o r bracket 30 which supports t-he telephoneinstrument A is a elements of the device enclosed within thehousing 34comprise a main solenoid E having' a vertically slidable coie E. Thecore E carries a cross-head E2 at its lower end provided with contactpoints 1*", G and V at one side and formed on `its opposite slde with aninclined cam-face E2 terminating in a point E4, the purpose of which islater explained. Surrounding the core E between its cross-head E2 andthe bottom of the solenoid E is a spring E2 which serves to normallymaintain the core in its lowermost position. At the upper end-of thecore E is a cross-arm E adapted to be hooked across the receiver-hook A3of the telephone instrument A to hold the hook in its normal ordepressed position when the receiver A is removed therefrom. u

Adjacent the lower end of the solenoid E is pivotally mounted adetent-lever H whlch is formed atits upper end with detentionpoint Hadapted to coact with the inclined cam-face E2 and point E4l of thecross-head E2 carried by the core E. Connected to the detent-lever Habove and below its plvot point, respectively, are springs K and L, thespring K at its upper. end being)` anchored at any convenient point onthe ousing 34. o rlhe spring Lbelow the pivot of the lever H isconnected yby a link M2 to the sliding core M of a solenoid M, thepurpose of which is to increase or decrease the tension of the spring inthe manner and for the purpose as later explained. The extreme lowe-rend H2 of the detent-lever H is connected by a link N2 to the slidingcore N of a solenoid N, said core N being connected at its opposite endwith the piston O of a dashpot- O which acts as a damping-device tocontrol the period of activity of the complete apparatus in the manneras later explained. a

Within the casing 34 is a polarlzed relay R comprising suitablemagnet-coils provided with a vibrating armature R adapted to closecertain circuits having contacts at R2 and R3, the purpose of which islater setforth. The polarized relay R is energized by current from aprimary battery t of any suitable type shown diagrammatically in Fig.- 7of the drawings. A small solenoid P located within the casing' 34 isadapted to be energized by the ringing of the telephone `of a spring P3acting upon the sliding solecall-bell A4, see Fig; 7, and is designed tocontrol the circuit of the main solenoid E through the medium of aswitch contact P2 which' is normally held open by the tension noid coreWithin the casing 34 is an interrupter S comprising magnet-coils S', avibrating armature S2, and a contact S3 connected in circuit as laterdescribed.

Fig. 3 illustrates the absent-signalling device consisting of a buzzer Dcomprising a casing provided with binding posts D and having mountedtherein magnet-coil D2 adapted to vibrate a resilient disk or diaphragmD3. The buzzer D is provided with l .clamps D5 by which it may beattached to the telephone transmitter A2 when the complete apparatus isto be connected therewith.

'lhevariable-contact device C as illustrated in F ig. 4 consists of'acasing C provided with binding-posts C2 and having mounted therein adiaphragm C3 carrying a sensitive needle-point or stylus C4 adapted totravel over the face of the record-cylinder B3. Projecting from theinner face' of said dia-y phragm C3 isa spindle-like contact-member C5vadapted to make variable contact at its lower end with a carbon disk C.One of the binding-posts C2 is connected to the diaphragm Cs and theother to the carbon disk C6 so thatcurrent passing therebetween will beof varying intensity due to the variable movement communicated to thecontactmember C*ls by the yrecord cylinder B3 through the medium of thesensitive contact- 100 point C* and the diaphragm C3.

` An alternative form vof this device is shown in Fig. 8 in which acompound system of levers 'C7' is substituted for the construction justdescribed.- The purpose of 105 the levers C7 is to amplify the movementof the contact-point C5 to increase the degree of variation in intensityof the current. l

Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative detent-l means for retaining the coreE of the main 110 solenoid la' in its raised position. In this modifiedform' of device a small solenoid 40 and a slidable spring detent-latch41 are `substituted for the pivotedv detent-lever H.

This form of control is intended for use in 115 with which it is inshunt circuit, whereupon 120 the latch .41 Awill beretracted and thecore E allowed to take up its normal position.

The operation of my improvedapparatus is accomplished by means of asystem of electrical circuits comprising four maior cir- 125 cuits whoseenergizing current is ordinarily drawn fromany convenient lightingsystem; and threel minor clrcuits, two of winch are energized by theprimary batterv t and one by means of a shunt from the telephone call-180 bell circuit. These several circuits are shown graphically in Fig. 7and are a r ranged as next described. Connected In .shunt with thecall-bell A* is a minor controlling-circuit comprising wires 1 leadingto and from the solenoid P. The major controlling-circuit for initiatingand maintaining the operation ot' the complete apparatus is illustratedby heavier lines in Fig. 7 and comprises the following conductors. Asbefore stated, the operating current 1s taken t'roln the lightingcircuit. indicated at 'l in Fig. T. b v plugging in at 35. whence a wireQ in the plug-cord or cable leads directly to the elect ric motor lV ot'the dictaphone l. Leading from the motor lV is another branch v22 ot'this circuit which is connected to the contact (l operated Yfrom themain solenoid E. A third wire 21 in this circuit leads from the contact(lr to contact V. (Jonuected with the major circuit conductor 2 of theplug-cord is a branch I leading to the Contact lz operated from thesolenoid P which is controlled through the call-bell shunt circuit 1.From the opposite side of the contact P2 this branch circuit extendsthrough a wire 4 to the main solenoid l, and thence through a. wire 5back to the main line T at the plug 35. Cut into the major circuit wire2 is abranch 6 leading through the detent-control solenoid M andconnected to the contact V. From the opposite side of the contact V thiscircuit is extended through wires 7 and 8 to the return wire 5 from thesolenoid E, and thence back to the plug The minor circuit from theprimary bat tery t is illustrated by lighter lines in Fig. 7 andcomprises on one side a wire 9 leading to the relay R. From the oppositepole of the battery t a wire 16 leads to contact F operated fromsolenoid E, and this circuit is continued through wire 13 to thevariablecontact device C and thence through wire 17 back to the relay R.From the battery circuit line 9 a wire 10, represented by dotted lines,leads to the armature side of contactpoint R3 and from the opposite sideof the contact a wire 11 leads to the contact S3 of the interrupter S.This circuit is continued through wire 12 leading from the coils S' ofthe interrupter to the Wire 13 which connects the variable-contactdevice C with contact-point F.

The absent-signalling device or buzzer D is connected in circuit withthe primary battery #through a branch 15 leading from wire 16, and a-Wire 14 leading to contact F.

The circuit for the .damping-device' or dashpot solenoid N comprises abranch 18 leading ont from the major operating-circuit wire 2 to thearmature R of the relay It, a wire 19 leading from the contact-point R2to the solenoid N, and a return wire 20 connecting through wire 8 toreturn wire 5.

Having now set forth the structure and arrangement of the completeapparatus in detail its method of functioning will next be ex lained.

Re erring to Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the apparatus is connected to thetelephone and prepared for automatic operation in the manner as follows:The telephone instrument A is first set upon the shelf or bracket 30 andits receiver A removed and placed in the holder 32. As the receiver A isremoved from its hook A3 the latter is locked in its normal or depressedposition by placing the cross-bar E on the solenoid core E across itstop. The buzzer l) is next clamped on over the mouthpiece of thetransmitter A2 and the attachingplug screwed into any convenient socketin the lighting circuit. The device is set in operation by the ringingof the call-bell A4, coincident with which current impulses will liowalong the shunt circuit 1 leading to the solenoid P to energize thelatter to draw in its core P. This action operates the switch contactsP2 to close the normally-open major circuit extending through wires 2,3, 4 and 5 to the solenoid E. The main solenoid E is thus energized withcurrent from the lighting or line circuit T iowing along the wires 2, 3and 4 to the solenoid E, and along the Wire 5 back to the line T. As thesolenoid E becomes energized it draws its core E upwardly into theposition shown by dotted lines' 111 Figs. 2 and 7, breaking contact at Vand making contact at F and G in the manner and for the purpose as laterexplained.

The upward movement of the core E of the solenoid E allows thereceiver-hook A of the telephone instrument A to assume its raisedposition, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 7, where it must beretained as long as it is desiredto hold the telephone in readiness toreceive the incoming message. It is to be observed that the contact P2'remains closed only as long as the call-bell A4 continues to ring, sinceit is only for such a period of time that the shunt circuit 1 is aliveand the solenoid P energized. When the call-bell A* ceases to ring thesolenoid P is deenergized and the contact P2 will be opened by theaction of the spring P3 onl the core P. This action opens the circuitleading to the solenoid E so that the latter becomes deenergized andreleases the core E. Under tension of the spring Fr" the core E wouldnormally return to its original or dropped position and lower thereceiver-hook A3 to break the connections and prematurely close thetelephone against the expected message. To support the core E' in itsraised position, however, and prevent this premature dropping of thereceiver-hook A3 the pivoted detent-lever H is provided, thedetention-point H of which is normall held in the path of the cross-headE2 at the calling be notified that the person called is absent. This isaccomplished by means of the buzzer D suspended over the telephonetransmitter A2, thc buzzer being actuated by current from the primarybattery t liowing along primary circuit wires 9 and 10 to contact-pointR3, thence along wire 11 and through the interrupter S. From theinterrupter S the current flows through wires 12 and 13 to the two-pointcontact F which, at this period of operation, is closed by contact-pointF of the cross-head E2 carried by the core E', as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 7 From this point the primary current travels along the wire 14,represented by dotted lines in Fig. 7, to the buzzer D, and thence byway of Wires 15 and 16 to the opposite pole of primary battery t.

It will be apparent that the interruptor S is now energized and theresulting vibrations ofv its armature S2 are transmitted to the buzzer Dand will there set up a corresponding vibration of the armature disk D3,see Fig. 3, the sound `of which will be caughtup by the telephonetransmitter A2.

and relayed to the receiver held by the person"calling.` In this mannernotification is given of the absence of the party called and of theproper connection of the message-- recording device in accordance withthe prearranged understanding. 'In order to have a message properlyrecorded the party calling must now begin dictation within apredetermined period of time which, for convenience of this explanation,will be called a five minute period. Failure to dictate- Within thisprescribed limit of time will result in disconnection of the telephonethrough the dropping of the receiver-hook A, which action is broughtabout by subsequent release of the detent-lever H as next explained.-The movements `-of the detentV leverH are controlled by thepsprings Kand L and the solenoid N, the core N of which is pivotally connected tothe lower end H2 of the lever. During normal or inactive periods thedifferent units of the device remain in position as shown by full linesin the-diagram, Fig. 7. Throughout these inactive periods the solenoid Mis continuously venergized by reason of its circuit being closed atcontact-point V and the consequent lflow of current from the line Talong the wire 2 through the coil, then along the wire 6 to thecontact-point V,v and thence back to line T by way of wires 7, 8 and 5.While thus energized the solenoid M exerts a pull on the spring Ltending to balance the tension exerted by the spring K whereb thedetent-lever H is held in the position sliown by full lines in thedrawings to adapt it to latch the crosshead E2 of the core E of thesolenoid E as the latter moves to raised position. When, however, thecore E moves upwardly the contact V is immediately broken and thesolenoid M is therefore deenergized, whereupon the tension of the springL' is released and the spring K tends to pull the lever H into the oi'position so that the core E would normally be allowed to drop under thetension of its spring E5. 'lhe pulling action of the spring K andconsequent movement of the lever H, however, is retarded by thefunctioning of the dashpot O which, through the connection of its pistonO with the lower end H2 of the lever H, permits only a slow movementthereof. The period of this retardation is determined by previousadjustment of the dashpot O to properly time its action to the Iequire'ments of any particular individual service. Assuming that the dashpot isadjusted for a tive minute period, it is apparent that at the expirationof this time the spring K will have overcome its opposition to permit itto pull the lever H into the olf position, whereupon the core E willdrop and the receiver-hook A3 be lowered to open the telephone circuit.The method of operation of the means vfor preventing the above describedaction during dictation of the message will next be explained.

Assuming that dictation of the message to be recorded is begun withinthe prescribed five minute period, thenthe retention of the detent-leverH in position to support the core E of the solenoid E is accomplishedthrough a combination of units whose relative action is as follows: Thereceiver A of the telephone andthe mouthpiece, B of the dictaphone beingsecured together, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, it is ,apparent thatthe wave impulses of the incoming message will be carried directly tothe recorder Bt of the dictaphone B. The operating motor W of thedictaphone, having had its circuit closed at the contact-point G uponthe upwardmovement of the core E of the solenoid E, is now actuated bycurrent from the line T flowing along the Wire 2 to the motor, thencealong the wire 2 to the contact-point G, whence it follows the wire 2bto the wire 7, along said wire 7 to wire 8, and from wire 8 to and alongwire 5 back to the line T. In this manner the motor W is connected foroperation to start the dictaphone B and as the record B3 rotates and therecorder B2 travels thereover impressions are traced in a spiral pathcorresponding in depth to the intensity ofv thel wave impulses?delivered'l through the'telcphone-receiverA. The im'.- pressions thusproduced upon the record 1 3 serve to actuatc the sensitive,operatingepoint' C" of what is herein termed the vari-ablecontactdevice C. rlhis variable-conta(t-device is ofthe construction shown inFig Ll, and previously described` and comprises the sensitive contactpoint C* carried by theV diaphragm and adapted to follow the"l path ofthe recorder B2 upon the record to he actuated bythe impressionsproduced thereon. l'pon its under -t'ace the diaphragm C carries thespimlle-contact member C5'. whichyat its lower end, makes la loose ortocontrol the degree oi pressure exerted. by

contact. member C5 upon the carbon diskC The diaphragm C and carbon diskC?,y are connectedrin series inA the minor circuit ex' tending from theprimaiy battery t through wire 9 to polarized relay Pdtrom relay Rthrough wire 17 to `variable-contact.'device C. thence through y wirevl?) to contact F which` when elosedi'completes the circuit back to thebattery through wire 16. 'It

will therefore be apparentthat the intensity and duration ot currentthroughout this cir" cuit is determinedby the character of the contactset up in thevariable-contact device C through the medium of theimpressions on the record B3. y

As long as contact F remains closed the current from primary battery twhich en.- ergizes the` polarized relay R is controlled and varied bythe incoming message which, through the medium ot the variable-contactdevice C and the impressions being produced on record B3, rapidly variesthe resistance ot' the circuit so that the current going through thecoils of the polarizedl relay R is at times uniform and at other timesvaried in its intensity. During periods ot' interrulition in thedictation ofthe message being recorded there are nov impressionsproduced upon the record B3 due to the cessation ot the wave impulseswhich actuate the recorder B2. It will therefore he seen-that at thispoint in the spiral path being traced upon the record B3 a smooth `spacewill be encountered by' thc sensitive peint or tractor C4 of thevariable-contact device C. This results in a steady c ontact between thespindle C*5 and carbon :disk C, causing a uniform flow of currentthrough' the polarized relay R and the. consequent inaction of itsarmature R which, during this period. remains in the neutral positionshown in Fig. 7 with the contact R3 closed. As long as the armature Rremains in this position with the contact R3 closed the buznf scaring;asse periods-f effi tendsif-tslowly draw the dtnt-lever FE'y into" it sott' position; thus tending to" release-A Athe core E" of? solenoid Eg'.whiclr is equivalent tof hangin-g up' the receiver.l Should "the'i'ni i,usted then'the springl would succeedA in" descrlbed.

completing the actionjust ll hen. however, the dlctation of vthe messageis resumed within .the prescribed period then the path of the recorderB2 on the recordr B`nl agam becomes lrregular, the

jcontact at the device C correspondingly varied. and the current passingthrough the frelay R of fluctuating intensity. Vibration of thejarmature R isnow 'set up causing a break at --the contact R and thusstoppmg the'buzzer D and etfectmg an' intermittent .contact at R2; T hisintermittent contact at R2permits a flow-of current from-the line 'lalong wires 2 vand 18 to the armature R',

`through cont'actvltz, and along the Wire 19.

tothe solenoid N, whence it returns to the line T by way of the wires20, 8 and 5. The solenoid N is now energized and through the connectionsof its core N with the detent-leverI-I tends to hold said lever inposition to support the core E' of solenoidfl) and maintain the entireapparatus in prolwr adjustment' to receive and record the messaf'fe. f

'Fronrt 1e foregoigg description it will be seen that I provide a deviceto .automatically operate a telephone instrument in conjunction withanyv suitable phonographic recording instrument to automatically recordmessages transmitted over the telephone. Fur# thermore, said device isdesigned so as not that provided for in thev adjustment of the devicethen the operating-mechanism will automatically reset itself, .making itneces sary to ring the telephone call-bell a second time beforethemessage can be continued. Otherwise thedevice is reset to place thetelephone in normal condition awalting any other call vwhich may comeover the lme.

It is noted that while the telephonel` instruto impair the utility ofeither the telephone ment herein shown and described is of standemployedwith equal ei'ect on other types of -telephones; and likewise it is tobe under'- stood that the term dictaphone as used in the s ecificationand claims is to be construed1 broadly covering any suitablephonographic recording instrument.

It is also to be understood that While I have herein shown and describeda preferred embodiment of my improved apparatus I do not lizmit myselfsolely to this form and construction of the invention. Variousmodifications may be made in the struct-ure and arrangement of theelements of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention; therefore, without limiting myself in thls respect, I claim:

l. An apparatus for attachment to a telephone instrument comprising adictaphone,

means for connecting the dictaphone to adapt the latter to recordmessages dictated over the telephone, means operated from thecall-signal of the telephone to yrender the dictaphone` operative,absent-signalling means operated from said call-signal to notify thecalling party that the party called is absent, positively-actingelectro-mechanical means for continuing the operation of the dictaphoneduring dictation and for a predetermined Waiting-period `previous to andduring interruptions in the dictation, and means for causing automaticoperation of the absent-signaling means during the waiting-periods tosignal the calling party that the a paratus is connected and awaitingthe dictation of the message.

2. In a device of the typespecified, the combination with a telephoneand a. dictaphone, of means for connecting the dictaphone to adapt it torecord messages dictated over the telephone, means operated from thetelephone signalling-circuit to render the dictaphone operative,positively-acting electromechanical means to continue the operation othe dictaphone during dictation and for a predetermined waiting-periodprevious to and during pauses in the dictation, and means for'signallingback to the calling party during the periods when no dictation 1s beingreceived.

3. In a device of the type specified, the

combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, offmeans to connect thedictaphone to adapt it to record messages dictated over the telephone,means operated from a call on the telephone to close the line circuit,

jmeans to start the operation of the `dictaphone, meanscontrolled bytherecord belng made for continuing the operation of i the dictaphoneduring dictation, and means for effecting a predetermined Waiting-periodin the operation thereof previous to and during pauses in the dictation.

4. Ina device of the type specified, the

05 combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, of means to connectthe dictaphone to ada t itl to record messages dictated over theteephone, means operated from a call on the telephone IIto close theline-circuit, means to startthe operation of the dictaphone, meansoperated from the record being made for continuin the operation of thedictaphone during dlctation, means for effecting apredetermined,waiting-period during the operation of the dictaphone pre vious to andduring pauses in the dictation, and means for opening the' telephonelinecircuit and stopping the dictaphone at the termination of theWaiting-period. 1 5.' In a device of the 'type specied, the combinationwith a telephone and a motordriven dictaphone, of means for connectingthe dictaphone to record messages dictated over the ltelephone, a sourceof current outside the telephone circuit for operating the 85dictaphone, a circuit including said source of current and thedictaphone-motor, means operated from the signalling-circuit of 'thetelephone to close the motor-circuit, means operating concurrentlytherewith to close the telephone line-circuit, means controlled by therecord being made for maintaining said last-named circuits closed duringcontinuous dictation over the telephone, and means for delaying theopening of said circuits a predetermined wa1tingperiod previous to andduring pauses in the dictation,

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination with a telephoneand a motordriven dictaphone, of a normally open circuit for connectingthe dictaphone-motor with a source of current outside of the telephonecircuit, means operated from the telephone signalling-circuit to closethe motorcircuit, means controlled by the record be- 1052 ing made formaintaining said motor-circuit closed during continuous dictation of themessage, and means for effecting a predetermined Waiting-period previousto and during pauses in the dictation.

v7.y In a device of the type specified, the combination with a telephoneand a motordriven dictaphone, of a normally open circuit for connectingthe dictaphone-motor Witha source of current outside of the telephonecircuit, means operated .from the telephone signalling-circuit to closethc motorcircuit, and positively-acting mechanical dctent-means formaintaining said motor-circut closed during dictation and for aprcdetcrmined waiting-period previous to and during pauses in thedictation.

8. In a device-0f the type specified, the combination with a telephoneand a motordriven dictaphone, of a normally open circuit :for connectingthe dictaphone-motor with a source of current outside of the telephonecircuit, means operated rom the telephone signallin -circuit to closethe motorcircuit, positive y-acting illehancal detent- 13o period. Y p p9. In a device of the type specified, the

means for` maintaining the motor-circuit closed, means tov release thedeteIit-meansv when no dictation is received overthe telephone or whendicta-tion'ceases, `and a dampingfdevice for delayin yrelease of the,de-` tent-n'ieans` for a combinationwith a telephone and a dicta phone,of means operated from the call-signalV of the telephone to start theoperation of the dictaphone, positively-acting mechani- :caldetent-means for maintaining the dicta'f ing pauses in the dictation.

phone operative, means to release the detent-means `when no dictation isreceived or when dictation ceases, and means for delay ing the releaseof the detent-means lfor a" predetermined .Waiting-period; l,previousvto and during pauses in the dictation.

l0. In a device of the type specified, the

combination with a telephone' and ya dictaphone, of means for connectingthe dictaphone to record messages dictated over the telephone, meanscontrolled from the telephonel signal-circuit to start the operation ofthe dictaphone, meansA controlled by the action of the stylus inrecording the message to maintain the dictaphone operativc,'andautomaticallyfoperated means for maintaining thc dictaphone operativefor a predetermined waitiiig-period previous to and durl1. In a deviceof the type specied, the combination with a telephone and a dictaphone,of means for connecting the dicta-l phone to record lnessages dictatedover the telephone, means controlled from the telephone signal-circuitto start the operation ofl thev dictaphone, positively-acting mechanicaldetent-means for maintaining the operation of the dictaphone, means forreleasing the detent-mea-ns, land means energized from the impressionsof' the message on the record to prevent the operation of thedetent-releasing means.

12. In a device of the type speciiied, the combination with a telephoneand a dictaphone, of means for connecting the dicta-v phone to recordmessages dictated over the telephone, means operated from thecall-'signal of the telephone to start the operation of the dictaphone,means for maintaining said dictaphone operative during a prodeterminedwaiting-period previous to and during vpauses in thc dictation,stoppingineans for arresting, the operation of the dictaphone'at the endof the Waiting-period,

and means controlled by the impressions of the messagebeing recorded toprevent the action 'of the stoppiiig-iiieans.' c

13. In a device of vthe type specified, the combination with a telephoneand a dictaphone, of -means for connecting the dictab phone to recordmessages dictated over the telephone, means operated from the call-sigofvthe dictaphone, 'la conta'ctrde-vice.fiori-fol pre etlermined wating-Aj `inessageis--received. p v A. .l I

combination with -atelephone, of, a dictai' 'i I over thel telephone,means'opei'atedfron'i the nal thertelepli'oiie-to-starttlie -o er ionlowing the impressions of themessagetlaced uponvthe record,and,meansfcontrolledfrom'l saidf` contact-device to.' stop the.;1dictaphone-` after a predetermined.

record.

1i... in a imicc if nii vpcpspaiiiid,tiie combination with atelephone,ofmeansffo'r lrecording a 'inesslge transmittedjover\,the""'1 telephone,a reproducing ineclianifsmfcoo l starting t-lie operation. 'of vthefarecor"'ding-)'""` means, means Voperated fdirectly-ffrom the i.reproducing-niechanisni o'fv the vr'ecordingt; means to lcontinue theoperationaof'the re-` cordingmeans While the' messageA "is, beingreceived, andmeans for,arresting'the opera-vv tion of therecording-.means after afprede-4 erating therewith, means for.automatical periodotnfait-ing I, lwhen noL impressions arebeingtraccdpn-the terii'iined"awaiting-period during which fno phoneadapted tojrccord messages .received callsignal ofthe telephone to startthe operation ofl the dictaphone, means operated direetly from therecord beingmad'e to 'continue the voperation `ofthe. dictaphone, andauxiliary means acting automatically Ito arrest 'the` operation of ,thedictaphone after a predetermined 'awaiting-.period `during which no4reproduction .is being made.v 7'

16. In a' device ofv theztype` specified,A the combination with a.telephone,"of a dicta# phone adapted. to record messages received overthe telephone, means operated fronithe call-signaljof thel telephone tostart the 'operation ofthe:dictaphonepmeans for sig? phoneis operative,means operated directly cally-operated means for arresting :they op 10ov f A nailingthe calling partfy that the`dicta-.

vfrom therecord being made to continue the..v

operation of the dictaphone, and automati-l .A A i erationofthe-dictaphone .after a predeterlf mined waiti'ng-period duringivhichnoi'nes-v f sage is received or upon 'cessation .otr fthe recording ofthemessage; c

17.` In an apparatus for attachmentto tele phones, thecombination with adictaphone i having a i'epi'oducer cooperating therewith, of means forconnecting the dictaphone to record messages transn'iitted over thetelephone, means. operated from 4the telephone 'all-signal to vstart theoperation of' the dicthe dictaphone While the message'i'sbeing received,and means for arresting the opera' tion of the dictaphone afterapredetermined waiting-period during which no vmessage is eingtransmitted oraftery the .cessation of the transmission of themessage.-v

18. In an apparatus for attachment t 'taphone, means operated directlyfrom the reproducei' for continuing the operation'of telephones, thecombination with a dictaphone having a reproducer cooperating therewith,of means for connecting the Ydictaphone to record messages transmittedover the telephone, means operated from the telephone call-signaltostart the operation of the dictaphone, means for signalling to thecalling party that the dictaphone is connccted for operation, moansoperated directly from the reproducer for continuing the operation ot'the dictaphone while the message is being received, and means forarresting thev operation of the dictaphone after a predeterminedWaiting-period during which no message is. being transmitted or afterthe cessation of the transmission of the messa e.

19. In an ap )a-ratus for use with telephones, the com ination with adictaphone having a reproducer cooperating therewith, of means for.connecting the dictaphone to `record messages transmitted over thetelev phone, means operated from the telephone call-signal to start theoperation of the dictaphone, a waiting-signal for notifying the callingparty that the dictaphone is connected, means operated from thereproducerfor continuingr the operation of the dictaphone while themessage is being received, means for operating the waiting-signal duringperiods when no message is being received, and means for discontinuingthe opt eration of the apparatus after a predetermined waiting-periodduring whichno message is received or after the completion of themessage.

20. In an apparatus for direct attachment to telephone instruments, thelcombination with a. dictaphone, of means for connecting the telephonereceiver with the recorder of dicta-phone to record messages transmittedover the telephone, eleetro-n'iechanicall means operated from thesignalling-circuit of the telephone to close the line-circuit and themotor-circuit, positively-acting mechanical detent-means for maintainingsaid circuits' closed, means operated automatically from the dicta-phoneto release the detent-means, and means for delaying the release of thedetent-ineans for a predetermined waitingperiod.

22. In an apparatus for use with telephones, the combination with a',dictaphone, of electro-magnetic means for starting the operation of thedictaphone, positively-acting mechanical detent-means for holding saidstarting-means operative, electro-magnetic means for etectmg the releaseof the detent-means, and a damping-device for retarding the action ofsaidlastnamed means.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

; SYDNEY FISHER.

